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Observational Study on Hearing Aids and Social Engagement in Older Adults

This study is looking at how using hearing aids might affect social interaction and thinking abilities (cognitive function) in older adults with hearing loss. Researchers want to understand if hearing aids change how social you are and how well you think. They will compare older adults with normal hearing, those with hearing loss who don't use hearing aids, and those with hearing loss who do use hearing aids. The study will measure speech activity and speech arousal (how engaged you are in conversations) at the start and again four months after hearing aid use. The goal is to see if changes in social interaction explain changes in thinking abilities and if brain activity (EEGs) changes after using hearing aids.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning researchers will watch and learn without giving specific treatments. It plans to include 100 participants.
What's involved
You would discuss hearing aid use, and if eligible, be encouraged to get hearing aids. Speech activity and arousal will be measured at the start and 4 months later.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements will be taken at the beginning of the study and again 4 months after hearing aid use.

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NCT06781749

New Approach to Objectively Measure Social Engagement in Older Adults With Hearing Loss

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 60+Observational
University of Southern California
~100 participants
Updated 2026-05-11 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Hearing aid use

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Audio sensor- speech activity
Measured over Baseline and 4-month after hearing aid use
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Bilateral (Causes Other Than Tumors)

Explore related trials

Hearing Loss

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states
California2

Who to contact

Janet Choi, MD, MPH
[email protected]
323-442-5790
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age \>= 60 years
English or Spanish speaking
Group 1- older adults with normal hearing defined as speech frequency PTA \<25dB HL in bilateral ears
Group 2- older adults with bilateral hearing loss who are not using hearing aids
Group 3- older adults with bilateral hearing loss, who are currently using hearing aids

Exclusion

Age \<60 years
Unable to complete questionnaires in English or Spanish

What this trial measures

  • Audio sensor- speech activityBaseline and 4-month after hearing aid use

    The audio sensor employs deep-learning-based multimodal speech pattern modeling of participants' own voice activities to extract speech arousal and speech activities. Speech activity measures include the intersession time (the interval between speech sessions, representing the frequency of conversation engagement).

  • Audio sensor- speech arousalBaseline, 4-month after hearing aid use

    The audio sensor employs deep-learning-based multimodal speech pattern modeling of participants' own voice activities to extract speech arousal and speech activities. Speech arousal measures include the percentage of strong arousals, serving as a proxy of enhanced engagement in conversations.